Where's My Promised Land?
The other day I was driving through town and Promised Land by TobyMac came on. I've heard it plenty of times before, but for some reason the words, 'Where's my promised land?" stopped me in my tracks.
Lately, I've been working hard to be the hands and feet of Jesus: serving where I can, loving the people in front of me, trying to do what's right. But if I'm honest, I'm tired. Worn out. Sometimes it feels like I'm running on fumes, doing all the "good things" but feeling like I have nothing left in the tank.
In that moment, I realized something. My promised land isn't, and won't ever be, here. It's not the sense of accomplishment I sometimes chase. It's not recognition. It's not even the peace of finally having my life feel "together." My promised land is Jesus Himself, waiting for me at the finish line, arms wide open.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord ... you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" - Colossians 3:23-24
When I feel like my efforts are small or unseen, this verse reminds me I'm not serving for applause here on earth. I'm serving for Him.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."- Galatians 6:9
When the days feel long and the weight of doing good starts to feel heavy, it's easy to let weariness win. But this verse reminds me that God Himself is the one who brings the harvest, and His harvest is always worth the wait. It won't be empty or disappointing! It will be full, overflowing, and exactly what we need. So I can keep going, not because I'm strong enough, but because the One I serve has promised the reward, and He never fails.
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial ... that person will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12
This helps me look beyond today's exhaustion and see the bigger picture: the crown of life, the reward of being with Jesus forever.
The work of loving, serving, and living for Jesus isn't always easy. Some days it's messy and exhausting. But this isn't the end of the story, He is! And one day, the race will be done, and I'll see my promised land face to face.
Prayer: Lord, when I'm tired and worn down, remind me why I'm running this race. Keep my eyes on You, my promised land. Give me strength to finish well, and joy to keep serving in the meantime. Amen.
Lately, I've been working hard to be the hands and feet of Jesus: serving where I can, loving the people in front of me, trying to do what's right. But if I'm honest, I'm tired. Worn out. Sometimes it feels like I'm running on fumes, doing all the "good things" but feeling like I have nothing left in the tank.
In that moment, I realized something. My promised land isn't, and won't ever be, here. It's not the sense of accomplishment I sometimes chase. It's not recognition. It's not even the peace of finally having my life feel "together." My promised land is Jesus Himself, waiting for me at the finish line, arms wide open.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord ... you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" - Colossians 3:23-24
When I feel like my efforts are small or unseen, this verse reminds me I'm not serving for applause here on earth. I'm serving for Him.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."- Galatians 6:9
When the days feel long and the weight of doing good starts to feel heavy, it's easy to let weariness win. But this verse reminds me that God Himself is the one who brings the harvest, and His harvest is always worth the wait. It won't be empty or disappointing! It will be full, overflowing, and exactly what we need. So I can keep going, not because I'm strong enough, but because the One I serve has promised the reward, and He never fails.
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial ... that person will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12
This helps me look beyond today's exhaustion and see the bigger picture: the crown of life, the reward of being with Jesus forever.
The work of loving, serving, and living for Jesus isn't always easy. Some days it's messy and exhausting. But this isn't the end of the story, He is! And one day, the race will be done, and I'll see my promised land face to face.
Prayer: Lord, when I'm tired and worn down, remind me why I'm running this race. Keep my eyes on You, my promised land. Give me strength to finish well, and joy to keep serving in the meantime. Amen.
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